Kazakhstan

About Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan lies in the north of the central Asian republics and is bounded by Russia in the north, China in the east, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in the south, and the Caspian Sea and part of Turkmenistan in the west. In March 2002, the U.S. Department of Commerce granted Kazakhstan market economy status under U.S. trade law. This change in status recognized substantive market economy reforms in the areas of wage rate determination, openness to foreign investment, and government control over the means of production and allocation of resources.

Individuals interested in exploring a diverse culture may want to make their international aboard experience happen in Kazakhstan. The country is located in Central Asia. It is near the Ural River as well, which is in Eastern Europe. The country is the largest landlocked country in the world. It neighbors Russia, China, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. From the snow-capped mountains to the rolling flatlands, this country has a diverse landscape as well.

About 17 million people call this country home. The capital city of Astana blends together numerous cultures and offers a unique combination of old and new amenities. More than 131 different entities are present here, due in part to neighboring country deportations into Kazakhstan. And, while Kazakh is the official language, you will find Russian and other languages regularly spoken here. Considering all of this, you may be wondering why this is an ideal country to study in for your international studies.

ClimateAs a large country, Kazakhstan's climate differs from one area to another. However, this diverse climate still provides an enjoyable experience most times of the year. In most larger cities in this area, four distinct seasons are present. In the winter months, it is a snow-covered area, with temperatures dropping as long as -25C. During the spring months, temperatures range from 16 to 20C during most days. By the month of May, temperatures have evened out and warmth is present. Summer brings temperatures as high as 30C in some of the southern parts of the country, though this is very high from other areas. Finally, autumn brings rains and wind, with temperatures dropping again.

SocietyAs mentioned previously, this country is one of a wide range of ethnicities. Individuals from nomadic tribes to those from throughout Europe have come to the country to provide a unique mixture of culture. Those living in or near the city of Astana will find a modern society with a strong ambition to grow and develop into a modern metropolitan center, with everything from sports stadiums to entertainment venues.

Another area popular with those attending higher education here is the city of Almaty. This country is more of a rolling landscape with less of a traditional city feel. The mountains are in the background. Nevertheless, this is a large city with excellent fine dining, a strong nightlife, various museums, and clubs. There are also ski resorts located in this region.

Study in Kazakhstan

Higher Education in KazakhstanIt is possible to study here and the country even encourages international students to call it home. The country is a wealthy one compared to others in the area. The country's higher education sector has not always been a good one. And, as a result of numerous international exchange programs being set up, it is growing in popularity around the world. About 50,000 foreign exchange students coming from about 43 countries are present, as of 2013, studying in one of the various universities here.

What to StudyThose individuals looking for an opportunity to explore this country's educational system may wish to focus their area of study on one of the numerous areas of focus. The educational sector has focused on bringing in students in some specific areas of study, including in the areas of research and innovation. For this reason, over the last ten years, the country has developed excellent resources for lure students in, including:

5 National Laboratories

9 Technology Parks

15 Regional Laboratories

The goal is to develop a strong science focus here with students and include a push towards life sciences, energy efficiency, and technology. For this reason, many individuals who complete their higher education in this country are able to find outstanding positions right out of school, especially for those who have a proven track record in one of these above industries.

Universities in Kazakhstan

There are numerous schools in the country, including universities, academies, and institutes. There are three levels of education:

Basic colleges provide fundamental education and allow students to work towards a bachelor's degree. Education here takes between three and four years.

Specialized higher education provide students with more specific areas of education. Students completing a course here receive a specialist diploma.

Individuals entering into scientific programs work towards earning their masters degree, which can take between three and six years to complete.

Additionally, students can also work towards earning their Doctor of Sciences, the equivalent of a PhD or their Kandidat Nauk, which is a Candidate of Sciences program. The following are some of the leading universities in the country:

Academy of Public Administration

Almaty Technology University

Auezov South KZ State University

East Kazakhstan State Technical

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Kazakh National Medical University (known as the leading school in the country for medical studies.)

Each of these universities establishes their own rules and requirements for admitting international students. This includes establishing costs for students planning to enroll here. It is often easiest (and ideal) to enter into an exchange program or an international course of study program rather than working independently with the schools.

Student VisasStudents who have selected a school and received successful admission into a school will then be able to apply for an MFA visa. To do so, the individual will need a letter written by the school's advisory board providing information about this acceptance. The Ministry of Education and Sciences must approve the admission. Individuals will then need to apply for a visa directly. This is often best done through an embassy.

Why Study in Kazakhstan?There are many locations around the world to study in, but Kazakhstan offers diversity and outstanding opportunity not only for the international student, but also for the individual looking for a country and city to make his other mark in after achieving a quality education. With schools and programs welcoming international students, the process of obtaining your education here is easier to do than one might think. The rewards are numerous, too, especially for an individual that wants to learn about a diverse culture.

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